CITY GUIDE
CITY GUIDE
Two paths lead to the 11th century Blejski Grad (one for vehicles, the other for pedestrians willing to climb some stairs) and an impressive view over Lake Bled. Two courtyards sit amongst the Renaissance buildings and Romanesque castle walls that house a museum, restaurant, printing works, wine cellar and chapel. Check this website link for the most up-to-date admission prices.
TIP: Unfortunately, navigating the castle and its grounds is not suitable for wheelchairs. Visitors are required to traverse stairs and steep slopes.
Arguably the ultimate drawcard of Bled is the small island in the middle of the lake which houses the Church of the Assumption of Mary. The island is a popular venue for weddings. Visitors can access the island by:
Once on Bled Island, you have the choice of ascending 99 stone steps or taking the curved well-trodden dirt path to the baroque church and bell tower. Here, you can enter the church for a small fee and ring the famous “wishing bell”. Legend has it that those who ring the wishing bell will be granted good fortune and see their wish come true.
If you spend around 3 -4 days in Slovenia, Vintgar Gorge is not to be missed. This was one of the highlights of our weekend but make sure to wear your walking shoes. It is approximately a 5km walk from Lake Bled and relatively flat to the entrance or you can drive to the gorge where there is free parking. The town of Podhom which you pass through is quaint with rustic barns and sleepy cows. The gorge itself is 1.6km long (don’t forget to factor in return trip if your legs get weary!). You will walk across wooden boardwalks over gushing rapids before hitting a rocky path that leads to an impressive waterfall. For nature lovers or those looking to get some country air, this walk is right up your alley.
Hint: Entrance is €4 per person and the only toilets are at the entrance point (there are none along the walk). Food options are limited to a couple of restaurants in the parking lot so we recommend that you pack food with you for the journey.
Get your walking shoes on because Bled is the perfect place to get back to nature. Walking around Lake Bled is mostly flat with the path along the lake measuring around 6.7km (4.16 miles). The path is mostly tar-sealed so is also available for cyclists and skaters. Horse-drawn carriages are available if you’re not up for walking around the lake. The coachmen are known as fijakers.
Alternatively, Bled offers hikers the opportunity to go upwards and onwards. Mala Osojnica (685m) and Ojstrica (611m) are the best known viewpoints that travellers target for the breathtaking views of the lake and Kamnik Alps in the distance. Another 20 minutes of walking from atop Mala Osojnica will take you to the top of Velika Osojnica (756m). Beware! There are two entrances/exits to access the viewpoints highlighted in the map below. Also look out for signs and the well trampled paths for reassurance you are heading in the correct direction.
Recommendation: When you visit and weather depending, check the times for sunrise and sunset to capture the lake and the Alps during golden hour.
We travelled to Lake Bled during the Easter long weekend. Even though it wasn’t yet peak season, we were super fortunate to nab a dinner table (without a reservation) at this homely seafood restaurant close to the edge of the lake. We feasted on a tasty mixed seafood platter with seasonal vegetables and washed it all down with our first taste of Slovenian wine. Charming décor accompanied with family-friendly service, it is highly recommended that you reserve in advance (we watched many a group be turned away!).
Located inside Hotel Triglav Bled, we enjoyed a delectable candlelit dinner from the à la carte menu paired with scrumptious wines recommended by one of the restaurant’s expert sommeliers. Elegant décor paired with commendable service made for an exquisite dining experience. If you’re looking for something a little bit fancy, place this restaurant on your Lake Bled itinerary. We only hope to return to sample the tasting menu!
TIP: Limited public transport is available in the Lake Bled area. The hotel offers a taxi service for a flat rate of €10 within the vicinity of Lake Bled (this was very helpful for us at the end of our evening as our accommodation was situated on the opposite side of the lake!)
Situated on a corner bend of Lake Bled, you could mistake this two-storey restaurant for the local pub. Lucky enough (again) to grab a dinner table without a reservation, we sampled beef and spelt risotto and octopus with truffles but the highlight of the evening (and the menu) was the AMAZING dessert platter. The mango tiramisu is to die for and the chocolate bomb had me squealing in delight like a little kid on Christmas Day.
The small café/bakery is located on the road leading up towards Bled castle and is famous for serving the Bled cream cake. Lip smacking deliciousness on your taste buds, calories added to your waistline. We grabbed two of the Lake Bled cakes as our reward for hiking up to Vintgar Gorge!
An unassuming shopfront sheltered behind a flower shop and insurance agency, you’d miss this bakery if it wasn’t for the aroma of freshly baked bread that hits you from the pavement. Go early to choose from an array of pastries, pizza breads and biscuits. Then wander down to the lake to nibble on your tasty goods and watch the rowers train as they glide almost silently over the water.
We had no idea that Slovenia produced wine until we visited and most, if not all the restaurants in Bled will have national produce on its menu. About 75% of the country’s production is white wine so ask your sommelier or waiter for their recommendation!
